The pain numeric rating scale (NRS), on which patients rate their current pain intensity from 0 (“no pain”) to 10 (“worst possible pain”), has become the most widely used instrument for pain screening. Although it was not developed or validated as a screening test, the NRS is ubiquitous as a screener in many health care environments. For example, its use is currently mandated throughout the Veterans Affairs health care system as part of its “Pain as the fifth vital sign” campaign 1).
1)
National Pain Management Coordinating Committee, Veterans Health Administration. Pain as the 5th vital sign toolkit, revised edition. Washington, DC: National Pain Management Coordinating Committee, Veterans Health Administration; 2000.